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Howard, John Custance

January 26, 2007

In loving memory of Howard John Custance.

July 19, 1933 - January 26, 2007.

Howard died peacefully after an extended battle with Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer).

Howard was the youngest of seven children and the only one to be born in a hospital. He grew up in Ashmont and Edmonton, Alberta, joined the Canadian Armed Forces while still a teenager, and served his country in Germany and England. After being honourably released in 1956, he headed west with other young men to Kitimat, BC, where he went to work for Alcan. He met his wife to be, Louise, in 1960 and they were married in 1961.

1972 found Howard heading south to Crofton, BC on Vancouver Island where he went to work for British Columbia Forest Products. Howard was a member of Chemainus Pentecostal Church and holidays were spent with housefuls of people that otherwise had no homes or family to go to.

Howard is best remembered by his laughter and his kind and patient demeanor. He is survived by his son Mark Custance (Ruth) of Camarillo, California; and his daughter Diane Custance of Calgary, Alberta. He is also fondly remembered by his grandson Cameron Custance of Camarillo, California. Howard is predeceased by his brother Vernon Custance; and sisters Annie Overacker and Bess McCleod. He is survived by his brother George Custance of Edmonton, Alberta, his sister Florence Bonifacio of Elk Point, Alberta; and his sister Isabelle Spiess of Port Coquitlam, BC.

A memorial and celebration of life was held at Chemainus Pentecostal Church, 9471 Chemainus Road, Chemainus, BC at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2007. Online condolences may be offered at www.sands-funeral.com



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